1. L. Harrynanan, M. D. SINGH, E. Harry, G. Rawlins and A. Mohammed
Using linkages and farmer training to promote improvements in the small ruminant sub-sector for Trinidad and Tobago
L. Harrynanan, M. D. SINGH, E. Harry, G. Rawlins and A. Mohammed

2. Overview
Background/History
Activities
Results
Conclusion

3. T&T, Jamaica & Barbados-2012
Trinidad &
Tobago
Jamaica
Barbados
Imports (MT)
3,562
2,307
1,239
Imports
(US$ M)
13.6
10.8
5.7
Local production
123
1,426
148
Local prod % of consumption
3.3 38
10.6
Imports & production of
sheep & goat meat in
T&T, Jamaica & Barbados-2012
(FAOSTAT -
October2014).

4. Background/History
The local Goat/Sheep farming Industry has not been able to meet the demands of the local consumer
There are greater income benefits to be derived from value added products when compared to solely primary products

5. Small Ruminants in the Caribbean
Most Governments in the Region and several Institutions have active programmes which aim to support and further the development of the regional small ruminant industry.
MFP, SFC, LLPB, THA, CARDI, CDB, CFC, FAO, IDRC, IICA, Mc Gill University, UWI
MFP- Centeno livestock and Aripo livestock

6. *Project 1- IICA – Aug 2011 to Dec 2013
“Improving the Competitiveness of the Small Ruminant Sub-sector through the Development of National Grading Standards and enhanced Market Intelligence.”
Participating IICA Offices
IICA Offices in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica
In 2011, IICA started the implementation of a project entitled: “Improving the Competitiveness of the Small Ruminant Sub-sector through the Development of National Grading Standards and enhanced Market Intelligence”. This project was implemented in three of the countries where IICA has representation including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (JBTT). The small ruminant project was implemented as a cross-cutting coordination programme to include: 1) Agribusiness and Commercialization; 2) Agriculture and Food Security, and 3) Agricultural Health and Food Safety and also Food Security and Climate Change. The project was coordinated by the Agribusiness Specialist in the IICA Jamaica office. Funding for the project was provided through the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for Technical Cooperation (FonTC). The project had a duration of two years, commencing on August 2011 and ending December 2013.
* 2 years, IICA Funded

7. Project Objectives
Improve the competiveness T&T small ruminant farmers, through the improvement of their current grading standards
Provide a better understanding of the market and the current and future opportunities that exists.
Fill the knowledge gap as it pertained to the cost effective approach to SR production in the Caribbean
Lessons learned could prove effective to cases elsewhere in the region
Engender deeper interaction and involvement of the IICA and CARDI Offices
CARDI’s Medium Term Plan (MTP) and current MTP have placed emphasis on Commodity Development within the livestock industry with special focus on small ruminants as part of their Strategic Axis, Development of Sustainable Industries.
CARDI completed much work in the areas of improved production technologies (breed improvement, feed and feeding systems, housing, etc.) and value addition for both meat and dairy production systems.
Training has also been a key component in CARDI efforts

8. Target Group & Beneficiaries
The main target groups:
Small ruminant producers
Extension officers of the MOA
CARDI
Bureau of Standards
Public health authorities.
The beneficiaries:
small ruminant producers
processors
food service operators, distributors
MFP, IICA and CARDI

9. 3-day training workshop on
“Meat Fabrication, Hygiene and Sanitary Slaughter of Small Ruminants”
[CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public Health, TTGSS]
Collaborating agencies/institutions: [CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public health, TTGSS]

10. IICA: 3-day training workshop on “Meat Fabrication, Hygiene and Sanitary Slaughter of Small Ruminants” Collaborators: CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public Health, TTGSS]

11. Activity 1 30 persons trained slaughtering, grading & meat fabrication
SR carcass fabrication for supermarkets, restaurants & hotels
Training video developed on Meat Fabrication during the practical.
Theory and Practical

12. Meat Fabrication

13. Hands-on practical experience

14. Hands-on practical experience

15. Hands-on practical experience

16. HIGH PRICE CUTS

17. Training in basic HACCP, GMP and Good Hygiene Practices for the slaughtering & fabrication of meat from SR
Based on a training Manual on Hygiene Slaughter for small ruminants (developed by Dr. Linnette Peters)
1-Day training by Dr. Bissessar, Veterinary Public Health, Ministry of Health, T&T
Activity 2

18. Participants Received Certificate of Achievement

19. Component 3 -Marketing Survey

20. Component 3 -Marketing Survey
Activity 3
Component 3 -Marketing Survey
Providing marketing intelligence on meat & milk products from SR.
Data on purchases, satisfaction factors and reasons for purchase or non- purchase of value added meat and dairy products were captured
Survey undertaken to better understand current markets
Supermarkets-47
Institutions (Hotels, Restaurants, Caterers, and Roti Shops) -45
Meat Vendors -13
General public - 169
Supermarkets, Institutions, Meat Vendors and Members of the Public. The actual numbers surveyed in each of the segments are as follows: Supermarkets - 47; Institutions - 45; Meat Vendors – 13; Public - 169

21. Sensitization Seminar -Dec 11, 2013 “Market Study for Value Added Meat and Dairy Products from Small Ruminants in Trinidad and Tobago”

22. Objective of the Workshop
To present the analyses of the survey findings
quantities purchased
preference for various types of cuts
the perception of consumers towards sheep and goat meat, as well as goat milk and cheese
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society (TTGSS) are collaborating to host a one-day workshop on the “Market Study for Value Added Meat and Dairy Products from Small Ruminants in Trinidad and Tobago” to be held on December 11, 2012 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.
The workshop is being held to disseminate and sensitize the stakeholders on the market intelligence of meat and milk products from small ruminants. This activity is the 3rd component of an IICA led technical cooperation project amongst the IICA and CARDI offices in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on “Improving the competitiveness of the small ruminant sub-sector through the development of national grading standards and enhanced market intelligence".
The consultant for the project Mr. Aziz Mohammed will be presenting the findings of the market study which engaged various stakeholders through 4 survey instruments: general public, institutions, meat vendors and supermarkets. The survey was conducted over the last 3 months in both Trinidad and in Tobago. A panel discussion on the 'Way Forward' will be led by Norman Gibson, CARDI.

23. Consultant & presenter: Mr. Aziz Mohammed
45 persons attended the workshop
Stakeholders: farmers/producers, meat processors, butchers, supermarket operators, extension officers, Producer Associations, academic institutions

24. Overall Findings/Conclusions
Local supplies of sheep and goat constitute a small percentage of the total market demand, with imports (approx 94%) meeting most of the demand.
Local production has been on the decline over the last five years.
The peak demand period for sheep and goat meat are the religious holidays Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha,

25. Overall Findings/Conclusions
Key to increased consumption of the local products were; price, consistency in supplies, quality standards and attention to hygiene and food safety.
The level of sales of value added dairy products are very low and growth is dependent on the creation of demand through market promotion.

26. Component 4: Small Ruminant Study Mission to Fort Valley State University
A four-day study mission -18 member team (5 Jamaicans, 4 Barbadians & 9 T+T).
Feeding systems
Reproduction techniques
Animal health
Grading, slaughtering and meat processing practices
Value added products (milk, cheese, ice-cream, soaps etc.) from small ruminants
Marketing strategies employed in the sale of meat and value added products from small ruminants.

27. Small Ruminant Tour to Fort Valley State University – Atlanta, Georgia supported 5 persons (9 persons total)- (MFP, CARDI, SFC, THA, FARMERS)
Study Tour:

28. Projct 2: IICA COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION FonTC
Appropriate Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean based on Local Feed Resources, Coordinator - Dr. Manuel Sanchez in Dominican Republic & Lisa Harrynanan in T&T
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

29. Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad
IICA’S COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION [FonTC]
Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean Countries
2-Day Workshop on
“Improving Small Ruminant Production Based on Suitable Forages & Management in Trinidad & Tobago”
Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad
February 27-28, 2013

30. 32 persons : farmers, livestock officers and technicians
“Improving small ruminant production based on suitable forages and management”.
32 persons : farmers, livestock officers and technicians
build capacity in small ruminant production techniques
strong emphasis on using locally grown forages:
Leuceana & Moringa (saijan) among others.
IICA Trinidad and Tobago, February 22, The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Ministry of Food Production (MFP), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society (TTGSS) are collaborating to convene a two-day workshop on February 27 and 28, 2013 at the Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad and Tobago.
“Saijan” is commonly eaten as a vegetable in curries. The leaves contain more than 23% protein and possess a digestibility of over 80%.

31. IICA’S COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION [FonTC]
Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean Countries
Workshop on
“Establishment, management and processing of forage species of high nutritive value”
Sugarcane Feeds Centre, Pokhor Road, Longdenville
September 19-21, 2013
2nd workshop – collaboration with (see logos)

32. Demonstration of small ruminant production models based on local feedstuffs.
strong emphasis on using locally grown forages such as Leuceana, Tithonia diversifoliaithonia & Moringa (saijan) etc.
Tithonia diversifolia
promote innovation for the productivity and competitiveness of agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago through capacity building and the
The consultant for the project Dr. Ismael Hernandez delivered presentations in Silvopastoral systems: an option for integrated farms and Establishment of forage species of high nutritive value; Recommendations for management, and processing and Demonstration of forage establishment by seeds, seedlings and stakes.
Leucaena leucocephala (Wild tamarind)

33. “Establishment, management and processing of forage species of high nutritive value”
2 days of demonstrations at 2 farms – Ministry of Food Production Farm and Farmer Lindsay Gay.
The second workshop entitled
“Establishment, management and
processing of forage species of high
nutritive value” was held in collaboration with
CARDI; the Sugarcane Feed Centre, and the
Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society
at the Sugarcane Feeds Centre, Chaguanas
on September 19, 2013 followed by 2 days of
field demonstrations.
Dr. Hernandez demonstrates the establishment
of forage species
Dr. Ismael Hernandez shows participants
how to cut stakes
Local forages as high quality feed for
goat and sheep in Trinidad and Tobago
The consultant for the project Dr. Ismael
Hernandez delivered presentations in
Silvopastoral systems: an option for integrated
farms and establishment of forage species of
high nutritive value; and recommendations
for management and processing. In addition
he demonstrated forage establishment at
2 demonstration sites: the Ministry of Food
Production Mon Jaloux Forage estate and
a small ruminant farmer, Up De Hill Farm in
Moruga. Local and imported species used in
the demonstrations either by seedlings, seeds,
stakes or cuttings were Tithonia (Tithonia
diversifolia); Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala
var. Cunningham); Clitoria (Clitoria ternatea var
tehuana); Moringa (Moringa oleifera); Teramnus
(Teramnus labialis); Guanacaste (Enterolobium
cyclocarpum); Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and
Trichantera gigantean.
Dr. Hernandez, a native of Cuba has
It was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Production, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI); the Sugarcane Feed Centre, and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society.

34. Conclusion
Agricultural forage developers should explore the benefits of forages as an alternative to grasses
MFP has already embarked on establishing a forage farm at Mon Jaloux in Cunupia.

35. Conclusion
Through the IICA >200 persons have been trained in meat fabrication & hygiene for small ruminants
Number of farmers, agro processors, students capacity has been increased
Establishment of forage banks
Improved management of small ruminants.

36. IICA, CARDI, SFC, UWI, ST. AUGUSTINE
Acknowledgements
IICA, CARDI, SFC, UWI, ST. AUGUSTINE